Allamakee Driftless Safari runs through Labor Day

Area residents and visitors have less than two weeks to join the Allamakee Economic Development and Tourism for a summer adventure exploring the historical, cultural and natural treasures of Allamakee County. The 2013 Driftless Safari program will run through Labor Day, with 20 exciting places to visit and learn about.
The Allamakee Driftless Safari is a county-wide outdoor scavenger hunt that allows families and friends to play outside and explore some amazing places in Allamakee County. The event has been taking place all summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and best of all, it is free to everyone who participates.
The Safari is designed to increase public exposure to and appreciation of 20 different cultural assets right outside many participants’ back doors here in Allamakee County. This Safari supports an effort that encourages life-long learning experiences for people of all ages.
Anyone who would like to still take part in the Safari can stop by the Allamakee County Economic Development Office or any one of the six Allamakee County public libraries to pick up  a free map and guidebook. They can then visit as many of the 20 featured sites of the Safari as possible to see what they can discover about the special places of Allamakee County.
The locations where the maps and guidebooks can be picked up include:
1) Dolores Tillinghast Memorial Library, 234 North Fourth Street in Harpers Ferry
2) Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library, 515 Main Street in Lansing
3) New Albin Public Library, 176 Elm Northeast in New Albin
4) Postville Public Library, 235 West Tilden in Postville
5) Robey Memorial Public Library, 401 First Avenue NW in Waukon
6) Waterville Public Library, 82 Main Street in Waterville
7) Allamakee County Economic Development Office, 101 West Main Street in Waukon.
Each of the 20 Allamakee County sites included in the Safari will have a wooden post located at the site, which will have a tile located on top with a design (example images of which are included within this article) where participants will be able to make a "rubbing" into their guidebook. The map will tell them where all of the 20 rubbing posts are located, and the guidebook will tell them more about the sites, directions, and gives them a clue to find the rubbing posts and places to make each rubbing.
Once Safari-goers have visited all 20 sites, they will have a complete guidebook and will have gotten to experience and learn about sites in Allamakee County. One of the primary goals of the Safari is to get people out in the county not only discovering the 20 sites selected for this year's Safari, but also discovering local businesses, restaurants and recreational areas and opportunities.
Partners of the Allamakee Driftless Safari include Allamakee County Community Foundation, Allamakee County Conservation, Allamakee County Economic Development, Driftless Area Management Services, Inc., Gundersen Lutheran Health System, Norplex Micarta, Postville Equipment and Tent Rental, Public Libraries of Allamakee County, Steel Cow Gallery, Veterans Memorial Hospital and Waukon Dental, with a wide variety of additional sponsors also making the event possible.
For more information about the Safari, visit the Allamakee Driftless Safari website at safari.allamakeecounty.com. For more information about ACED, visit www.allamakeecounty.com, e-mail neiatourism@mchsi.com, or call 563-568-2624.